Herman Sharpley

Memorial Service for Mr. Herman Sharpley, 65 of Florence Alabama and formerly of Hartselle will be 2:00 pm Friday, September 10, 2021 with Bro. David Mitchell officiating at Reynolds Funeral Home.

Herman Lee Sharpley, Jr. was born on May 5, 1956 at Fort Benning Army Base near Columbus, Georgia. He was the firstborn child of the union between the late Herman Lee Sharpley, Sr. and Irene Walton Sharpley.

Herman grew up in Hartselle, Alabama where he loved playing basketball, reading and philosophizing. He graduated from Morgan County High School in 1974. He met his future wife, Gerlene Austin, in 1978 while they were both students at the University of North Alabama in Florence, Alabama. They married on May 18, 1982. A natural leader, Herman enlisted in the United States Air Force after graduation. He served until 1984 when he was honorably discharged due to a colon cancer diagnosis. Doctors at the time gave him five years to live, to which he infamously responded, "I'll still be here when you're gone, doc."

While recovering from his illness in Sacramento, California, Herman and Gerlene began studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. On May 4, 1985, they were baptized as a symbol of their dedication to Jehovah God. Soon after returning to Alabama with his young wife and daughter, Herman began working at the United States Postal Service where he served as a mail carrier, supervisor and a Postmaster. He retired in 2019 after 34 years of service.

Herman departed this life on Thursday, September 2, 2021 at North Alabama Medical Center with his wife and daughter at his side. He was preceded in death by his parents; his two brothers, Bobby Leon Garth (Linda) and Robert Clay Sharpley; and his grandson, Levi Austin Reynolds.

He leaves to cherish his memory a loving and devoted wife, Gerlene Austin Sharpley; one daughter, Terri Elaine Reynolds (Venny); three grandchildren, Xavier Alexander Reynolds, Nova Elizabeth Reynolds, and a grandchild due in December 2021; and one sister, Shirley Dianne Bonney (Delshon). He is also survived by a host of aunts, nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters in-law, relatives and friends.

Herman possessed many wonderful qualities and was always willing to share them with others. Among those his loved ones will miss the most are his consistent positivity, his calming words of wisdom, his quick wit, and his infectious smile.

Shoal Creek Congregation is inviting you to a zoom meeting. 

Topic: Herman Sharpley Memorial Service
Time: Sep 10, 2021 02:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81285272030?pwd=WGpzUjNvbEswRXBVUmhCVjNOelFIZz09

Meeting ID: 812 8527 2030
Passcode: 738369

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